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Illuminated: Guildford Cathedral is lit up to welcome scientists to the University of Surrey for the British Science Festival, on Monday PA PHOTO

Illuminated: Guildford Cathedral is lit up to welcome scientists to the University of Surrey for the British Science Festival, on Monday PA PHOTO

Bishop welcomes Liverpool fan’s release

THE Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Revd James Jones, said on Wednesday that he was “so happy” for the football fan Michael Shields, released from Thorpe Cross YOI in Warrington, after the Justice Secretary, Jack Straw, issued a pardon for a conviction for the attempted murder of a barman in Bulgaria in 2005. Bishop Jones said: “I have always believed in Michael’s innocence. I saw him a few weeks ago and was impressed by how he has coped.” In 2006, Bishop Jones visited Mr Shields in prison in Bulgaria, after authorities had previously barred the Bishop from seeing him (News, 2 June, 2006).

THE Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Revd James Jones, said on Wednesday that he was “so happy” for the football fan Michael Shields, released from Thorpe Cross YOI in Warrington, after the Justice Secretary, Jack Straw, issued a pardon for a conviction for the attempted murder of a barman in Bulgaria in 2005. Bishop Jones said: “I have always believed in Michael’s innocence. I saw him a few weeks ago and was impressed by how he has coped.” In 2006, Bishop Jones visited Mr Shields in prison in Bulgaria, after authorities had previously barred the Bishop from seeing him (News, 2 June, 2006).

New gay development for Kirk

New gay development for Kirk

THE DEBATE over gay clergy resurfaced in the Church of Scotland this week, when it emerged that a gay man in a civil partnership had been selected for ministry training at Hamilton Presbytery. It is understood that the Presbytery followed guidelines from the Church of Scotland’s Ministries Council, which advised that applicants to ministry should “not suffer prejudice”, despite a moratorium on the induction and ordination of gay ministers introduced by the Kirk earlier this year. This followed the appointment of an openly gay minister, the Revd Scott Rennie, to Queen’s Cross in Aberdeen (News, 29 May).

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THE DEBATE over gay clergy resurfaced in the Church of Scotland this week, when it emerged that a gay man in a civil partnership had been selected for ministry training at Hamilton Presbytery. It is understood that the Presbytery followed guidelines from the Church of Scotland’s Ministries Council, which advised that applicants to ministry should “not suffer prejudice”, despite a moratorium on the induction and ordination of gay ministers introduced by the Kirk earlier this year. This followed the appointment of an openly gay minister, the Revd Scott Rennie, to Queen’s Cross in Aberdeen (News, 29 May).

Bishop moves from Malawi to Leicester

Bishop moves from Malawi to Leicester

THE Rt Revd Christopher Boyle, the former Bishop of Northern Malawi, was welcomed as As­sis­tant Bishop of Leicester at a special service in Leicester Ca­thed­ral on Sunday. He is the diocese’s first full-time assistant bishop, and was also installed as a Canon of the Cathedral. Bishop Boyle was welcomed by African members of the Mothers’ Union in honour of his previous post in Malawi, which he held for eight years.

Peace activist to appear in court

THE Rt Revd Christopher Boyle, the former Bishop of Northern Malawi, was welcomed as As­sis­tant Bishop of Leicester at a special service in Leicester Ca­thed­ral on Sunday. He is the diocese’s first full-time assistant bishop, and was also installed as a Canon of the Cathedral. Bishop Boyle was welcomed by African members of the Mothers’ Union in honour of his previous post in Malawi, which he held for eight years.

Peace activist to appear in court

CHRIS COLE, a Christian peace activist, was arrested on Monday after the Defence Systems Equipment international arms fair at the Excel Centre in London on Monday. Mr Cole, who is a member of the Network of Christian Peace Organisations, is accused of spraying “Build Peace not War Machines” on the doors of the conference centre on Monday, and writing “Arms Trade = Death” on the steps; and of pouring red paint on to the ground and writing “Stop this bloody mess”. He was charged with causing £2000 of criminal damage, and will appear in Horseferry Road Magistrates Court on 17 September.

Boy follows in sibling’s footsteps, after all

JAMIE TURNER, a five-year-old who was turned down for a place at Littledean C of E Primary School in the Forest of Dean, which had edu­cated generations of his family (News, 17 April), started school there this week, writes Margaret Holness. The school gives priority to siblings of pupils, but Jamie’s older brother and sister are now at secondary schools. Helen Arnold, Gloucester diocesan director of education, said: “We are glad that Jamie has found a place in his local school.”

Dr Butler to retire

THE Bishop of Southwark, Dr Tom Butler, announced this week that he will retire next March, when he reaches the statu­tory retirement age of 70.

Far Eastern journey for Dr Williams

THE Archbishop of Canterbury is to go to Japan from 19 to 27 September as part of a provincial visit.

New legal database available online

THE LAW and Religion Scholars Network, in collaboration with the Law and Justice journal, has launched a new database providing a list of judgments concerning law and religion in British courts, the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights.